The band have revealed that the rock n’ roll icon died of an aggressive form of cancer, after being diagnosed on Boxing Day.

Their statement reads:

There is no easy way to say this…our mighty, noble friend Lemmy passed away today after a short battle with an extremely aggressive cancer. He had learnt of the disease on December 26th, and was at home, sitting in front of his favorite video game from The Rainbow which had recently made it’s way down the street, with his family.

We cannot begin to express our shock and sadness, there aren’t words. We will say more in the coming days, but for now, please…play Motörhead loud, play Hawkwind loud, play Lemmy’s music LOUD.

Have a drink or few.

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Celebrate the LIFE this lovely, wonderful man celebrated so vibrantly himself. HE WOULD WANT EXACTLY THAT.

Ian ‘Lemmy’ Kilmister 1945 -2015 Born to lose, lived to win.

Tributes have also started to pour in from across the music world, as all those whose lives were touched by the iconic Jack Daniels-swilling career badass share their memories, from Pantera/Down’s Phil Anselmo to Evanescence’s Amy Lee, from DZ Deathrays to Metallica.